Continuous polymerization apparatus and process

Abstract

An apparatus and process for the production of polymers which utilizes a tubular reactor which contains static mixers.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for the production of water soluble polymers which comprises a tubular premixer which is surrounded by a jacket in which a heated or cooled fluid is circulated to control the temperature of fluids being passed through the premixer, means to feed a monomer solution to the premixer, means to feed an initiator solution to the premixer, static mixers disposed inside the tubular premixer to provide thorough mixing of the monomer solution and the initiator solution, a tubular preheater into which the monomer-initiator mixture is passed said tubular preheater being surrounded by a jacket in which a heated fluid is circulated to increase the temperature of the monomer-initiator mixture, static mixers disposed inside the tubular preheater to provide mixing for uniform heat transfer to the monomer-initiator mixture, a tubular polymerizer which contains static mixers and a jacket which surrounds the tubular polymerizer through which fluid is pumped to control the temperature of the monomer-initiator mixture being polymerized, and means to dispense the polymer solution from the tubular polymerizer. 
     
     
       2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the initiator solution is also added to the polymerizer at one or more points throughout the length of the polymerizer. 
     
     
       3. A device as in claim 1 which further comprises a tubular reactor which contains static mixers for the mixing and reaction of the polymer solution with chemical reactants to chemically modify the polymer solution. 
     
     
       4. A device as in claim 1 which further comprises a diluter which consists essentially of a hollow tube containing static mixers and means to add dilution water to the polymer solution at one or more points. 
     
     
       5. A process for the production of water soluble polymers which comprises adding a monomer solution and an initiator solution to a tubular premixer which contains static mixers to homogeneously disperse the initiator solution in the monomer solution, heating the monomer-initiator mixture in a tubular preheater which contains static mixers to provide effective heat transfer throughout the entire cross section of the tubular preheater and polymerizing the monomer-initiator mixture in a tubular reactor which contains static mixers to provide mixing for heat transfer. 
     
     
       6. A process as in claim 5 which further comprises the steps of passing the polymer solution through a tubular reactor which contains static mixers, adding to the polymer solution at least one chemical reactant and thoroughly mixing the polymer solution and the chemical reactants to produce a chemically modified polymer solution. 
     
     
       7. A process as in claim 5 which further comprises the step of homogeneously mixing the polymer solution and dilution water in a tubular mixer which contains static mixers.